We Need More Universities!
The Boston metropolitan area has 50 world class 4-year institutions. The Entire State of Washington has what, 15?
Washington State is growing faster than our universities and we are, quite frankly, out of space. Our state 4-year institutions are maxed out. The main reason is because the University of Washington doesn’t want competition for research dollars, thus won’t allow full-scale branch campuses to develop. Sure they have a few classes at a campus in Tacoma and some at a campus in Bothell; but they will never allow something like a new med school to be built.
The UW should be proud of the fact that they receive more research dollars than any institution on planet Earth. Way to go! It just doesn’t serve all who need it. Kitsap County, specifically Bremerton is a perfect location for a large-scale public research university. Our proximity to the Naval Shipyard, Bangor, and Keyport, means we could fight for DARPA money and other defense research contracts.
The baby boomers are getting old and we need doctors more than at any time in our history. Where are they going to come from? We should morph Harrison into a teaching hospital and let’s construct a university with a medical program! Kitsap County was about to spend $900 million on a NASCAR track that would be used once a year; why aren’t we willing to spend that same money on educating our future generations every day of the year?
From geology to marine science to biotech to forestry, Kitsap County offers a unique ability to draw quality students and faculty from around the world.
